Russell Crowe is a father of two sons and he believes that his experiences have lent themselves well to his portrayal of Jor-El, father of Kal-El (better known as Superman) in the upcoming film Man Of Steel.

He said being a father off camera is what attracted him to the role.

"When I first read the script," the actor told the website ComicBookMovie.com, "it was one of those things where that's how it was connecting me."

The plot line, in which Jor-El must separate himself from his baby son, especially tugged at the actor's heartstrings more than any of the political factors involved in the superhero story.

"Really," he continued, "the biggest personal battle is to take your naturally born, infant son and send him away. If you don't do it in this moment, he dies along with the entire history of your planet as it exists. It was an interesting thing."

The actor even used his work in Man of Steel to get a bit of street credibility with his young sons. His boys came with him to a screening of the film in Sydney and he said, "It's like, finally - I've made a movie that they care about."

Fatherhood, even Superman-fatherhood, still has its downsides, Crowe added. He recalled getting pooped on by the un-diapered baby playing the young Kal-El.

"I got a handful of essential Kryptonian material," he said at a May 31 press conference for the film, adding, "it was after lunch, it was to be expected."

Crowe was sure to tout his skills with a "nappy," but believed he handled the unexpected situation well, taking it as a learning experience in parenting.

"I had new experiences as a parent in this movie," Crowe said, giving a look toward director Zack Snyder. "So thank you, Zack."

Man of Steel is set to open in theaters on June 14.

Check out Crowe's full interview with ComicBookMovie.com.

Tags: Russell Crowe Man of Steel